2026 Virtual Forum: Excelling Science across NSW – Day Two
8 October @ 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm AEDT
2026 STANSW Virtual Forum Day Two
Thursday 8 October, 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Stay ahead of syllabus change with bite-sized, high-impact professional learning designed for primary teachers and high school science teachers across NSW. Delivered in convenient twilight sessions, this virtual forum lets you learn from leading educators and experts, without taking time away from your classes or travelling across the state.
Whether you’re in metropolitan, regional or remote schools, this is a flexible, accessible way to connect, learn and grow, directly from your home or classroom.
Primary Program Day 2: Early Career Teachers Day
Time |
Speaker |
Topic |
| 4:30pm – 5:05pm | Sally Nugent, Marie Bashir Public School |
Early Career Experiences in Primary Science
Beginning teachers are often expected to juggle a variety of curriculum demands while developing their professional confidence, engaging students and working with limited resources. This presentation reflects on the experience of becoming a specialist primary science teacher at a public school, exploring both the challenges and advantages of working across K–6 as an early-career educator. Drawing on personal experiences, the session will consider the realities of implementing hands-on learning and inquiry within busy primary school environments, as well as the unexpected lessons, tensions and opportunities that can emerge through science education as a beginning teacher. |
| 5:05pm – 5:15pm | Tea Break | |
| 5:15pm – 6:30pm | Chair: Assoc. Prof. Helen Georgiou University of Wollongong Lesley Gough, Lecturer in Primary Science and Technology, University of Western Sydney Zoe Stephens, Science Specialist, Ngarala PS Sally Nugent, classroom teacher, Marie Bashir Public School Colleen Quince, The Meadows Public School |
Panel Discussion
In this interactive panel discussion, we unpack the evolving pedagogical toolkit of today’s primary science classroom. Chaired by Dr. Helen Georgiou from University of Wollongong, the panel brings together a newly qualified teacher science specialist teacher, a mid‑career science specialist teacher, an early‑career primary generalist teacher and a lecturer in primary science education. Together, they will explore how teachers at different stages of their careers draw on — and continually reshape — their professional toolkit to meet the needs of diverse learners. Invitation for Questions: We invite members to shape the conversation by submitting questions in advance. Whether you’re curious about classroom practice, teacher development, or the future of science education, your voice will help guide the discussion. Share your questions via the panel question submission link. |
Primary Pricing
| Single Day |
Full Series | |
| Primary Member | $65 | $125 |
| Pre-service Member | $30 | $55 |
| Non-Member | $120 | $180 |
Secondary Program Day 2: Depth Studies 2
Time |
Speaker |
Topic |
| 4:30pm – 5:05pm |
Matt Dodds
|
2 Concurrent Depth Studies sessions:
Physics Depth Studies Matt Dodds will be presenting a senior Physics Depths Studies session. Matt Dodds is the winner of the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching (Secondary). He has over 15 years’ experience teaching science. Growing up in the Blue Mountains, Matt developed a strong interest in all three core sciences, particularly DNA and genetic engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) and a Bachelor of Education from UNSW, with postgraduate studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Passionate about real‑world science, Matt designs classroom equipment, develops investigations and assessments, and regularly presents at national science conferences. |
| Sophia McLean, Georges River
Environmental Education Centre |
INS Depth Studies, Not So Fantastic Plastic Plastic is perhaps the greatest environmental catastrophe after climate change. Most of the solutions are sadly greenwashing. In this workshop we will explore what plastic is, the problems with it in the environment and what happens when microplastics enter organisms. We will explore a range of activities suitable for any age group as well as scientific sampling methods for microplastics as conducted by AUSMAP – the Australian Microplastics Assessment Project. Participants will get to sort a microplastic sample from one of the worst hotspots in Sydney. A range of sustainability solutions will be explored from the very simple to ones that require a bit more effort. |
|
| 5:05pm – 5:15pm | Tea Break | |
| 5:15pm – 5:45pm | Networking |
|
| 5:55pm – 6:30pm | Cameron Rodgers, Sarah Redfern High School | Beyond the Report: Using Creative Media in Biology Depth Studies
Biology Depth Studies offer students the opportunity to engage in authentic scientific inquiry, yet many still culminate in traditional written reports or presentations. This session explores how creative media (including documentary filmmaking, digital storytelling, podcasts and short-form video) can be used to transform Biology Depth Studies into engaging, authentic and future-focused learning experiences. Participants will examine how media-rich assessment tasks can maintain scientific rigour while providing students with opportunities to communicate biological concepts to real audiences. Drawing on classroom examples and emerging research in conservation education, this presentation will demonstrate how creative media can enhance student engagement, strengthen scientific communication skills and support deeper understanding of complex biological concepts. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for implementing creative media projects within existing Biology programs, along with strategies for ensuring strong alignment to syllabus outcomes, assessment requirements and inquiry-based learning principles. The session is suitable for Biology teachers, curriculum leaders and educators interested in innovative assessment practices. |
| 5:55pm – 6:30pm | Stella Ding, The Ponds High School | Data Detectives: A Disease Depth Study Case Study
This knowledge-sharing session explores practical implementation of a Stage 5 Depth Study aligned to the 2023 NSW Department of Education Science Syllabus. The focus is on strengthening student skills in modelling and graphing with real-world disease data, with explicit teaching strategies embedded throughout the unit to support skill development and conceptual understanding. Participants will examine how the depth study is structured, how modelling and data representation skills are explicitly taught and scaffolded, and how assessment opportunities are integrated. The session will highlight practical classroom strategies, differentiation approaches, and ways to build student confidence in interpreting and constructing graphs and scientific models. By the end of the session, participants will have a clear framework for implementing a Stage 5 depth study, along with adaptable resources and teaching strategies that can be immediately applied in their own classrooms. |
Secondary Pricing
| Single Day |
Full Series | |
| Individual Secondary Member | $80 | $155 |
| Secondary School Member | $95 | $185 |
| Pre-service Member | $30 | $55 |
| Non-Member | $240 | $475 |
Day Two Registration Closes: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Become a member or login to your member account to access our member pricing. Individual memberships cover 12 months from the date of joining, giving you access to our free Networks and webinars for members, resources and other discounted events.
Wanting to add a second session from our Virtual Forum Series?
Register for the full series – at less than the cost of adding a second day. All sessions are recorded, so even if you can’t attend live, you’ll still receive access to the content and resources – up to 12 sessions for secondary teachers and 8 sessions for primary teachers.
Professional Learning Hours
STANSW is a NESA recognised provider. This professional learning may be logged as accredited professional development hours toward proficient teacher accreditation. Standards addressed: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7.
